Aboutbipolar disorder

About bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive disorder) is a chronic illness so named because sufferers experience intermittent mood episodes of two extreme poles - mania (which may include symptoms such as episodes of elevated moods, extreme irritability, decreased sleep and increased energy) or depression (which may include overwhelming feelings of sadness and suicidal thoughts), or a combination of both (mixed episode).1

In fact, the IMPACT study shows that up to 64% of patients experience depressive symptoms during a manic episode.

The impact of bipolar disorder

The condition can result in damaged relationships, difficulty working, going to school or participating in regular activities.1 Those with bipolar disorder are part of a medically-burdened population and often experience multiple complications, e.g. cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of premature mortality in this population.1,2

Always seek advice from your own doctor should you experience any of the above described symptoms.

General facts

Bipolar disorder affects close to 30 million worldwide, including over four million people in Europe3

Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide4

Bipolar disorder affects 1-2% of the population and affects men and women equally5

The average age of onset of bipolar disorder is 25 years6

Bipolar disorder is a major and underestimated health problem in Europe. Costs are mainly due to long term indirect costs associated with comorbidities, suicide, early death and unemployment as well as direct costs including hospitalisation during episodes7

The spectrum of bipolar disorders

The spectrum of bipolar disorders includes bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder:8

Bipolar I disorder is defined by severe manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days. Sufferers rarely experience symptom free periods and often have some residual depressive symptoms between episodes. These residual symptoms are not enough to qualify for a diagnosis of a mood episode, yet they may contribute greatly to impaired functioning in the daily life of a person suffering from a manic episode.10 Sufferers may also experience depressive episodes, typically lasting at least two weeks.1

The exact cause of bipolar I disorder is unknown, but it is likely caused by a combination of several factors, including:9

Biochemical imbalance

Genetic predisposition

Environmental factors

Defining a mixed episode

According to the previous Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), a mixed episode must meet the full criteria for a major depressive episode and a manic episode nearly every day for at least one week.11

However, this is considered restrictive as mixed episodes rarely conform to these qualifications, yet in clinical practice many patients complain of either depressive features during a manic episode or manic features during a depressive episode.

Therefore, updates were made to DSM-5 which allow for mixed states to be described more practically as any combination of depressive and manic symptoms, using a specifier indicating the presence of symptoms of the opposite pole.12 This is applicable to episodes of both depression and mania and in the context of both unipolar and bipolar lifetime diagnoses.The specifier indicates that you can have:12

A manic or hypomanic episode with mixed features: if full criteria are met for a manic or hypomanic episode and at least three depressive symptoms are present during the majority of days of the current or most recent episode of mania or hypomania.

A depressive episode with mixed features: if full criteria are met for a major depressive episode and at least three manic/hypomanic symptoms are present during the majority of days of the current or most recent episode of depression.